Getting around

Driving

Cook Islanders drive on the left-hand side of the road and the maximum speed is 50km per hour. In town areas it is 30km per hour.

If you have a current driver's licence from your home country you can drive a car in the Cook Islands on that licence. The exception is for motor scooters and motor bikes.

If you do not have a scooter/motorbike licence from your home country you need to have a car licence and then pass a practical skills test with both the rental agency and the police. Rental companies often do motor scooters/bike tests on site. If you pass, they issue temporary licence and then you are required to go the the Police Station in Avarua to obtain a Cook Islands licence, which involves a driving test.

All motor scooters/bike drivers aged 18-25 are required wear a helmet. This helmet law also applies to any other motor scooters/bike who intend to drive over 40km/h.

All of the rental companies offer low-powered scooters that have no gears or clutch, so learning to ride a scooter is fairly straight forward.

Beware of wandering dogs and gravel.

Cook Islands Bus (Rarotonga)

The Clockwise RouteFrom Cooks Corner in the main township of Avarua, the bus circles the island via Tupapa, Muri Beach, Titikaveka, Arorangi, past all major accommodation then past Rarotonga Airport returning to Avarua.

The Anti-Clockwise RouteFrom Cooks Corner in Avarua, the bus circles the island via Avatiu Harbour, past the Airport on to Arorangi, Titikaveka, Muri Beach passing all major accommodation, returning to Avarua via Tupapa.

Bicycle

One of the least expensive and fun ways to see the Cook Islands is by bicycle. The distance around Rarotonga is only 34kms, so it doesn't take too long to get just about anywhere! A great way to build a tan too! There are bicycle hiring companies around Rarotonga including Polynesian Rental Cars & Bikes and Ride Rarotonga.

Cook Islands Sun Maps

The Cook Islands Sun publishes detailed pocket-sized maps of Rarotonga, and of Aitutaki (with Atiu and Mangaia included). These maps are widely available around the islands. To view these maps online, click on the Maps page on this website.